A beaming smile — and £18,525

HAND over... outgoing chairman Keith Begley presents new chairman Councillor Bill Cullen with the chain of office

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Saddleworth Parish Council

IT WAS a bumper evening for charities as the chairman’s chains of office were handed over.

Keith Begley presented £18,525 to good causes from his year as chairman before retiring as a parish councillor and passing the chains of office to Councillor Bill Cullen.

Mr Begley handed out £3,680 to Sense — the charity for the deaf and blind — and £2,760 each to the Alzheimer’s Society, Rethink — a charity for schizophrenics — the Oldham branch of Diabetes UK and Alcohol Concern.

Six local charities were handed £300 each, with eight local organisations receiving £250 each.

Mr Begley, who was presented with a medallion, thanked the charity committee and staff for their sterling work saying he couldn’t have done it on his own. He also thanked his wife, Jenny, for standing by him as consort.

Councillor Derek Heffernan said it was a remarkable sum of money to raise in an extremely difficult climate.

He added: “Overall they did a remarkable job and they presented to the world the face of Saddleworth with a beaming smile.”

Councillor John Hudson added that Mr Begley had also done a good job in chairing meetings.

Councillor Cullen, who worked for BT before retiring seven years ago and was described as a hard-working and committed parish councillor, was unanimously voted as the new chairman, with his wife Enid, as consort.

Councillor Pat Lord, who proposed Mr Cullen for chairman, said he had a hard act to follow, but added: “I have no doubt whatsoever that you and Enid will make excellent ambassadors.”

Councillor Hudson, seconding the choice, said: “You have been a credit as vice-chairman and I see no reason why you and Enid won’t be a first class chairman and consort for the coming year.”

Mr Cullen said: “I hope I can repay the confidence people have in me in giving me this honour.”

He said he wanted to see the council change, with all 20 councillors involved in improving its future and having a greater say when more power is given to grassroots.

He said his chosen charities for the year affect people he knows, including the MS Society, Parkinson’s Disease and Osteoarthritis, and he will also support numerous local charities.

Independent councillor Ken Hulme was voted in by 14 members as vice-chairman. His work as a scout leader and teaching assistant helping children with learning problems were cited.

Proposer Councillor David Atherton said: “Ken is a controversial character to say the least. But we all need controversial characters.”

Councillor Robert Knotts, seconding, said: “I know Ken is very dedicated to Saddleworth. I think he will make a very suitable vice-chairman.”